used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He, and those with him, had left with a feeling of confidence that the insurrection would speedily be put down.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was an anxious time for his wife, after Gregory started.
in addition
From this reading The garrison of Khartoum had inflicted several severe defeats upon the Mahdi, but had also suffered some reverses.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was an anxious time for his wife, after Gregory started.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He, and those with him, had left with a feeling of confidence that the insurrection would speedily be put down.
eagerly desirous
From this reading It was an anxious time for his wife, after Gregory started.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He, and those with him, had left with a feeling of confidence that the insurrection would speedily be put down.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
any cognitive content held as true
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading But with British officers to command, and British officers to drill and discipline the troops, there could be no fear of a recurrence of these disasters.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The garrison of Khartoum had inflicted several severe defeats upon the Mahdi, but had also suffered some reverses.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading But with British officers to command, and British officers to drill and discipline the troops, there could be no fear of a recurrence of these disasters.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading He, and those with him, had left with a feeling of confidence that the insurrection would speedily be put down.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But with British officers to command, and British officers to drill and discipline the troops, there could be no fear of a recurrence of these disasters.
defeatsnounUS /dɪˈfiːts/
plural of “defeat” — an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest
From this reading The garrison of Khartoum had inflicted several severe defeats upon the Mahdi, but had also suffered some reverses.
Dervishes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
disastersnounUS /dɪˈzæstərz/
plural of “disaster” — a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
From this reading But with British officers to command, and British officers to drill and discipline the troops, there could be no fear of a recurrence of these disasters.
disciplinenounUS /ˈdɪsəplən/
a branch of knowledge
From this reading But with British officers to command, and British officers to drill and discipline the troops, there could be no fear of a recurrence of these disasters.
disciplinedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪsəplənd/
obeying the rules
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He, and those with him, had left with a feeling of confidence that the insurrection would speedily be put down.
drillverbUS /drɪl/
make a hole, especially with a pointed power or hand tool
From this reading But with British officers to command, and British officers to drill and discipline the troops, there could be no fear of a recurrence of these disasters.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
fanaticaladjectiveUS /fəˈnætɪkəl/
marked by excessive enthusiasm for and intense devotion to a cause or idea
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading But with British officers to command, and British officers to drill and discipline the troops, there could be no fear of a recurrence of these disasters.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading He, and those with him, had left with a feeling of confidence that the insurrection would speedily be put down.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was an anxious time for his wife, after Gregory started.
garrisonnounUS /ˈɡærɪsən/
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading The garrison of Khartoum had inflicted several severe defeats upon the Mahdi, but had also suffered some reverses.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
GregorynounUS /ˈɡreɡəri/
(Roman Catholic Church) a church father known for his constant fight against perceived heresies; a saint and Doctor of the Church (329-391)
From this reading It was an anxious time for his wife, after Gregory started.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He, and those with him, had left with a feeling of confidence that the insurrection would speedily be put down.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He, and those with him, had left with a feeling of confidence that the insurrection would speedily be put down.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He, and those with him, had left with a feeling of confidence that the insurrection would speedily be put down.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was an anxious time for his wife, after Gregory started.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
inflictedverbUS /ˌɪnˈflɪktɪd/
past form of “inflict” — impose something unpleasant
From this reading The garrison of Khartoum had inflicted several severe defeats upon the Mahdi, but had also suffered some reverses.
being of such surpassing excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
insurrectionnounUS /ˌɪnsərˈekʃən/
organized opposition to authority; a conflict in which one faction tries to wrest control from another
From this reading He, and those with him, had left with a feeling of confidence that the insurrection would speedily be put down.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was an anxious time for his wife, after Gregory started.
KhartoumnounUS /ˌkɑːrˈtuːm/
the capital of Sudan located at the confluence of the Blue Nile and White Nile
From this reading The garrison of Khartoum had inflicted several severe defeats upon the Mahdi, but had also suffered some reverses.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading He, and those with him, had left with a feeling of confidence that the insurrection would speedily be put down.
MahdinounUS /ˈmɑːdi/
(Islam) a messianic leader who (according to popular Muslim belief) will appear before the end of the world and restore justice and religion
From this reading The garrison of Khartoum had inflicted several severe defeats upon the Mahdi, but had also suffered some reverses.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
not any; not one
From this reading But with British officers to command, and British officers to drill and discipline the troops, there could be no fear of a recurrence of these disasters.
the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He, and those with him, had left with a feeling of confidence that the insurrection would speedily be put down.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading But with British officers to command, and British officers to drill and discipline the troops, there could be no fear of a recurrence of these disasters.
and nothing more
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
prophetnounUS /ˈprɑːfət/
an authoritative person who divines the future
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He, and those with him, had left with a feeling of confidence that the insurrection would speedily be put down.
recurrencenounUS /rɪˈkɜːrəns/
happening again (especially at regular intervals)
From this reading But with British officers to command, and British officers to drill and discipline the troops, there could be no fear of a recurrence of these disasters.
reversesnounUS /rɪˈvɜːrsɪz/
plural of “revers” — a lapel on a woman's garment; turned back to show the reverse side
From this reading The garrison of Khartoum had inflicted several severe defeats upon the Mahdi, but had also suffered some reverses.
only a very short time before
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading The garrison of Khartoum had inflicted several severe defeats upon the Mahdi, but had also suffered some reverses.
intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
From this reading The garrison of Khartoum had inflicted several severe defeats upon the Mahdi, but had also suffered some reverses.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The garrison of Khartoum had inflicted several severe defeats upon the Mahdi, but had also suffered some reverses.
speedilyadverbUS /ˈspiːdəli/
with speed
From this reading He, and those with him, had left with a feeling of confidence that the insurrection would speedily be put down.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It was an anxious time for his wife, after Gregory started.
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading The garrison of Khartoum had inflicted several severe defeats upon the Mahdi, but had also suffered some reverses.
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He, and those with him, had left with a feeling of confidence that the insurrection would speedily be put down.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He, and those with him, had left with a feeling of confidence that the insurrection would speedily be put down.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But with British officers to command, and British officers to drill and discipline the troops, there could be no fear of a recurrence of these disasters.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But with British officers to command, and British officers to drill and discipline the troops, there could be no fear of a recurrence of these disasters.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He, and those with him, had left with a feeling of confidence that the insurrection would speedily be put down.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was an anxious time for his wife, after Gregory started.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
soldiers collectively
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The garrison of Khartoum had inflicted several severe defeats upon the Mahdi, but had also suffered some reverses.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was an anxious time for his wife, after Gregory started.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
at the time that
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
which person or people
From this reading This, however, was only to be expected, when the troops under him were scarcely more disciplined than those of the Dervishes, who had always been greatly superior in numbers, and inspired with a fanatical belief in their prophet.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading It was an anxious time for his wife, after Gregory started.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He, and those with him, had left with a feeling of confidence that the insurrection would speedily be put down.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He, and those with him, had left with a feeling of confidence that the insurrection would speedily be put down.
